Category: Arts & Crafts

“Edgar Wood’s grandest design would have transformed part of Manchester and transformed it gloriously with a capital G. During research for a new book Lost & Imagined Manchester, coming out this week, Jonathan Schofield came across a scheme by Wood that if it had been built and somehow survived would have made excursions to Port Sunlight from Manchester redundant. This would have been the garden village/model village par excellence for the North of England, indeed, of anywhere in the country, complete with art gallery, public baths, meeting hall, extensive gardens, fountains, churches and a school.” Jonathan Schofield

FULL REPORT AND IMAGES HERE

Trafford Borough Council planning service is proposing to remove the Conservation Area status given in 1986 to ‘Halecroft – the former house, then council Offices and now commercial office that stands in Halecroft Park, Hale Road, Hale. The public are invited to comment on the proposal, which is part of a broader planning review of Trafford’s Local Plan.

Designed in 1890, ‘Halecroft’ is Edgar Wood’s first masterpiece, a flamboyant Arts and Crafts beauty. It is listed grade II* and is described in the listing as “an excellent example of Wood’s earlier work largely expressing the ideals of the Arts and Crafts Movement and the vernacular revival.” The house is sited at the northern end of its large grounds, which includes mature trees an early Arts & Crafts garden designed by Wood. It is a popular place for local people.

While the listing would remain in place, the conservation area status is being removed as part of sweeping changes proposed for South Hale Conservation Area. The reasons are given in an appraisal of the conservation area and appear to be poorly stated. The Edgar Wood Society has joined the Friends of Halecroft Park in objecting to the change. The conservation area protects the broad character and appearance of Halecroft, the park and the wonderfully wooded street scene. The assemblage would be significantly less protected against intrusive housing or other development as a consequence of the proposed change.

If you wish to comment on the proposal, simply email strategic planning at Trafford with your views strategic.planning@trafford.gov.uk

To download a pdf of the draft appraisal click on South Hale Conservation Area Appraisal. Trafford Council’s strategic planning service web page is here

Edgar Wood Society has acquired a small archive of original material on Barcroft, 193 Bolton Road, Marland. This is an Edgar Wood designed Arts and Crafts house of 1894. Today, it is listed grade II, and although altered, is in good condition. It can be seen from the main road between Heywood and Rochdale.

It was built for an artist friend, Benjamin C. Brierley who, like Wood, was a member of the Rochdale Art Society. He is remembered for a series of paintings of local old halls and for being an important member of the Co-operative Movement. After Barcroft, Brierley helped to fund Marland Church, one of Wood’s radical church designs, now sadly demolished. Then, in 1911, he and his family emigrated to Western Australia and became a pioneer farmer.

The house is interesting for its vernacular inspiration and having an open plan layout, something quite advanced in 1894. It has a large central chimney and, originally, big stone roofing flags (now replaced). Inside, the vernacular informs the planning with just two multi-purpose rooms accounting for all the non-service ground-floor functions. A  ‘hall’ combines the functions of  entrance hall, staircase and sitting room, while a large living space containing an inglenook and a square corner bay window serves as dining room, study and drawing room. The authentic-looking inglenook closely resembles that at Tonge Hall, Middleton, with a fire-window and a heavy bressummer supporting two large farmhouse-style beams.

Anthony Cosgrove showed the archive to society members after a successful committee meeting.

If you love Christopher Whall’s Arts & Crafts windows, such as those in Middleton’s St. Leonard’s Church (as above), you will appreciate this new film which explains very practically what he and the other Arts & Crafts glass designers were trying to achieve. If you then want to know even more… you can buy the book!

The publisher’s post is here.

The Arts and Crafts House: Then and Now – 27 June 2015 to 13 September 2015

If you are down in the Midlands, this art exhibition at Compton Verney, Warwickshire is worth a visit. This Palladian house is an odd location for an Arts & Crafts exhibition but that simply makes it more interesting!

The Art Fund site has more information.

Part of the role of the Edgar Wood Society is to support owners of properties designed by Wood or his partner J. Henry Sellers. It is especially nice when an owner posts their appreciation as Vicky and Duncan have done on their blog about Briarcourt in Lindley, Huddersfield. See http://www.briarcourtrevisited.com/latest-adventures/2015/3/24/new-lenses

In case you missed this on TV, Tony Robinson examines the life and work of legendary Arts & Crafts architect Sir Edwin Lutyens, and joins the restoration of one of his iconic buildings, Castle Drogo. You can see it here.

Edgar Wood is connected to the Staithes Group artists’ colony through his friendship with the Middleton born Staithes artists James W. Booth and, especially, Fred Jackson. In fact, the famous photograph of Fred Jackson with Laura Knight most likely shows Edgar Wood next to Jackson – wearing his trademark hat!

Recent research by several people has brought to light a previously unknown Edgar Wood designed house, The Croft at Hinderwell, near Staithes, built for Henry Silkstone Hopwood. Hopwood was a founder member of the Staithes Art Club of painters, becoming its chairman in 1902 when the house was built: a flat roofed outbuilding next to the house is thought to have originally served as artists’ studios used by club members.

English Heritage has now listed the building for its special historic interest and has now been published on the National Heritage List for England. Below are the details we have been sent.

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